On May 16, 2025, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans through a hole behind a toilet in their cell. The escape went unnoticed for over seven hours, and as of now, seven inmates remain at large.
The escape occurred while the only guard on duty had left to get food. The inmates removed a toilet, breached the wall behind it, and accessed a maintenance area. They then scaled a fence using blankets to avoid barbed wire and fled across Interstate 10. Graffiti left at the escape site included taunts like “To Easy LoL.”
Authorities suspect the escape was facilitated by defective locks and possible inside assistance. Three jail employees have been suspended pending investigation. The facility has been under federal monitoring since 2013 due to previous rights violations and continues to face staffing shortages.
The escapees face serious charges, including murder and armed robbery. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals, are involved in the manhunt. Authorities urge the public to report any information regarding the fugitives’ whereabouts.
